The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[getaclue]

These are the ones I recently hatched out. I put them in a larger cage tonight. Now that they're getting used to it, they seem to like it. I know it's not a pretty cage. I built a couple of these myself, and the size is perfect for the last week, or so, before putting them out in the coop. I'll get better pictures when I clean it out tomorrow.

 

[speckledhen]

Looks like two of each sex in that pic. Is that what you think, Cheryl?

 

[getaclue]

Yes, that is what I'm thinking too. I was unsure of one of the females, at first. While I only have Black Australorps, of the parent stock, I have a hen that is pure Kirk Keen line, but the other hen is the result of outbreeding the Kirk Keen line with the Dan Castle line. The rooster is from that pairing as well. The resulting chicks all did well at the shows, however, there are subtle distinctions between the two lines.

I put the daddy rooster over his offspring, for these. While there is less distinction than before, the females that have more of the Kirk Keen line in them, are easier to distinguish as such, at an earlier age. I know the outbred line is outstanding, but there is just something about the ones that have more of the Kirk Keen traits, that appeals more to me. I don't exactly know why.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, that is what I'm thinking too. I was unsure of one of the females, at first. While I only have Black Australorps, of the parent stock, I have a hen that is pure Kirk Keen line, but the other hen is the result of outbreeding the Kirk Keen line with the Dan Castle line. The rooster is from that pairing as well. The resulting chicks all did well at the shows, however, there are subtle distinctions between the two lines.

I put the daddy rooster over his offspring, for these. While there is less distinction than before, the females that have more of the Kirk Keen line in them, are easier to distinguish as such, at an earlier age. I know the outbred line is outstanding, but there is just something about the ones that have more of the Kirk Keen traits, that appeals more to me. I don't exactly know why.

Thankfully, the BRs are usually easier to sex, though, as I've said numerous times, the Stukels are not quite as easy to be definitive on from the get-go. And then there's Drea/Drew, LOL. If it crows, I'll know!

 

[speckledhen]

I heard the phoebe chirping and saw her flying around strangely as soon as it became lighter this a.m. And I saw this. If it had come by later, I could have saved her chicks, but it was already digesting them by this time, sadly. This was her 2nd brood this season, though. She won't give up, poor mama bird.Not the first time this has happened to a phoebe raising her brood on my deck and may not be the last. This is way above the ground on a higher side of the deck.
(the head of the snake is facing away from the house, had to lean out to get a pic of that)

 

[getaclue]

I think it would be dead by now, if it harmed any of my animals.

 

[1muttsfan]

They are amazing varmint killers, and nature does run its course. They will kill more mice, voles and other rodents than any poison or trap ever will.

I remember my Mom having a fit once when a Cooper's Hawk took a sparrow at her feeder. I told her she was still feeding the birds, just bigger birds.

 

[speckledhen]

I think it would be dead by now, if it harmed any of my animals.

Well, it wasn't after my chickens/chicks, so I let it do its thing. The phoebe chicks were already gone, nothing to do but let it sleep off its meal and leave.

They are amazing varmint killers, and nature does run its course. They will kill more mice, voles and other rodents than any poison or trap ever will.

I remember my Mom having a fit once when a Cooper's Hawk took a sparrow at her feeder. I told her she was still feeding the birds, just bigger birds.

Yes, they are good mousers. And we don't use poison here at all because of the cat and the chickens. This is a big one, too. I've rescued quite a few that became entangled in deer netting on my shrubs. Tom would hold it and I'd cut the netting with scissors, then he'd take it across the power line road and let it go. Never had one in a coop or the barn, but I'm going to make sure it goes away and not toward the youngsters if I am around when it decides to move off the house.

 

[1muttsfan]

Sounds like a wise precaution.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have an extreme fear of snakes, I scream obscenities, and often end up sobbing hysterically when I see one. I continue to be amazed by people taking photos of them. I know they are a part of nature, but from my side I cannot help my reaction, I hate snakes. Once I see one, usually a garter snake, every stick I see on the lawn is a potential snake to me and it's a stressful few days before I can calm down. It's a horrible fear that doesn't answer to common sense.